PNG's bumper coffee crop earns big export dollars

The Papua New Guinea Coffee Industry Corporation expects the country to export 250 million US dollars worth of coffee this year due to a bumper crop and soaring prices.

The corporation says the coffee price of US$2.60 per pound is double last year's price due to poor weather conditions for coffee in Colombia and Central America.

Its chief executive, Navi Anis says in contrast, favourable conditions in PNG should result in the production of more than 60,000 tonnes of coffee.

Mr Anis says the large crop has put pressure on processors, and high prices have increased costs for exporters.

But he says the coffee industry is in a strong position overall.

"The mood industry-wide is positive and I think people are looking forward to what currently is happening, that the prices will continue to hold and if the production comes up good then everybody should be positive, should be happy about the whole thing."

Navi Anis says 2.5 million people who rely on coffee earnings will benefit.